In April 2026, Visa expanded its stablecoin settlement pilot by adding five new blockchain networks, bringing total support to nine chains. The program reached a $7 billion annualized run rate, a 50% quarter-over-quarter increase. This update lets issuers and acquirers settle transactions using multiple blockchain networks within Visa's infrastructure.
New Chains: Arc, Base, Canton, Polygon, Tempo
The newly added blockchains include Arc (developed by Circle, focusing on programmable money and real-world finance), Base (backed by Coinbase, enabling faster and lower-cost stablecoin transactions), Canton (configurable privacy features for regulated institutions), Polygon (high-throughput, low-cost payments), and Tempo (efficient and private liquidity movement). They join Avalanche, Ethereum, Solana, and Stellar, which Visa previously supported in the pilot.
Multi-Chain Strategy: Unified Settlement Layer
Rubail Birwadker, Visa's Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships, said partners now operate in a multi-chain environment. The expansion allows them to choose networks that match their operational needs, while Visa provides a unified settlement layer across all supported blockchains. This approach supports scalability, compliance, and faster settlements across diverse blockchain environments.
Global Reach: 130+ Stablecoin Card Programs in 50+ Countries
The expansion builds on earlier pilots across Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and CEMEA. Notably, Visa extended USDC settlement support to U.S. banks. The company now supports more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across over 50 countries.
Industry Reactions
Nikhil Chandhok of Circle said the collaboration reflects growing demand for stablecoin settlement infrastructure. Jesse Pollak of Base described it as a step toward integrating stablecoins into daily financial activity. Eric Saraniecki of Digital Asset noted Canton's role in supporting regulated institutions with compliance-focused infrastructure. Marc Boiron of Polygon Labs highlighted the importance of scalable payment systems for global use. Ani Narayan of Tempo added that real-time settlement remains a key focus.
Visa reported stablecoin settlement activity continues to grow, backed by financial institutions, fintech firms, and payment providers.